U.S. patent number 5,554,896 [Application Number 08/331,985] was granted by the patent office on 1996-09-10 for portable power supply for handpieces.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Miyad. Invention is credited to Donald J. Hogan.
United States Patent |
5,554,896 |
Hogan |
September 10, 1996 |
Portable power supply for handpieces
Abstract
A portable power supply system utilizes a foot controller and a
lightweight, sealed electric motor assembly which attaches to any
International Standard E-Coupling handpiece. The foot controller is
adaptable for use with either an AC/DC adaptor or a rechargeable
battery. A coaxial cable connects the variable voltage supply from
the foot controller to the low voltage, DC motor assembly. The
motor assembly is sterilizable, lightweight, and quiet, making it
ideal for use by dentists, oral or orthopedic surgeons, laboratory
technicians, or anyone else desiring an economical, portable power
supply for handpieces.
Inventors: |
Hogan; Donald J. (Carlsbad,
CA) |
Assignee: |
Miyad (Del Mar, CA)
|
Family
ID: |
23296200 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/331,985 |
Filed: |
October 28, 1994 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
307/150; 307/118;
604/22; 433/119; 604/21; 433/82; 235/472.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02J
7/0042 (20130101); A61C 1/0053 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61C
1/00 (20060101); H02J 7/00 (20060101); H02J
007/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;307/150,116,118
;604/22,65,21 ;433/29,119,80,82 ;320/2 ;324/326,329 ;235/472 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Shoop, Jr.; William M.
Assistant Examiner: Paladini; Albert W.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Knobbe, Martens, Olson &
Bear
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A portable power supply system for handpieces comprising:
a variable voltage foot controller having a disconnectable
electrical power source comprised of a rechargeable battery
unit;
a sealed and sterilizable electric motor assembly including a
distal end having a male coupling for type ISO-3954-1982E
handpieces and a proximal end having a connector; and
a coaxial cable connected at one end to the variable voltage foot
controller and at the other end to said connector on said proximal
end of the sealed electric motor assembly.
2. The power supply system of claim 1, wherein said disconnectable
electrical power source is an AC/DC adaptor for plugging into an
electrical outlet.
3. A portable power supply system for hand-held laboratory tools
comprising:
a variable voltage foot controller having a disconnectable
electrical power source comprised of a rechargeable battery
unit;
a housing;
a sealed and sterilizable electric motor assembly disposed within
the housing and including a distal end for receiving a laboratory
tool and a proximal end having a connector, said connector
hermetically sealed in said proximal end, the sealed electric motor
assembly further including an electric motor distal to said
connector and sealed at its distal end;
a spring washer biasing said motor against the housing;
an O-ring positioned between said connector and said motor; and
a coaxial cable connected at one end to the variable voltage foot
controller and at the other end to said connector on said proximal
end of the sealed electric motor assembly.
4. The power supply system of claim 3, wherein said disconnectable
electrical power source is an AC/DC adaptor for plugging into an
electrical outlet.
5. A portable power supply system for handpieces comprising:
a foot controller having a connector for detachably receiving an
electrical power source;
a cable including a first end and a second end, said first end
having a first connector for attachment to the foot controller,
said second end having a second connector; and
a sterilizable motor assembly having a distal end for receiving a
handpiece and a proximal end for attachment to said second
connector on said second end of the cable.
6. The power supply system of claim 5, wherein said electrical
power source is an AC/DC adaptor for plugging into an electrical
outlet.
7. The power supply system of claim 5, wherein said electrical
power source is a rechargeable battery unit.
8. The power supply system of claim 5, the motor assembly further
having a male coupling on said distal end for receiving a type
ISO-3954-1982E handpiece.
9. The power supply system of claim 5, wherein the foot controller
is a variable voltage type.
10. A portable power supply system for hand-held tools
comprising:
a foot controller having a connector for detachably receiving an
electrical power source;
a cable including a first end and a second end, said first end
having a first connector for attachment to the foot controller,
said second end having a second connector; and
a sterilizable motor assembly having a distal end for receiving a
laboratory tool and a proximal end for attachment to said second
connector on said second end of the cable.
11. The power supply system of claim 10, wherein the foot
controller is a variable voltage type.
12. The power supply system of claim 10, wherein said electrical
power source is an AC/DC adaptor for plugging into an electrical
outlet.
13. The power supply system of claim 10, wherein said electrical
power source is a rechargeable battery unit.
14. The power supply system of claim 10, wherein said distal end of
the motor assembly has a chuck and collet for receiving said
tool.
15. A portable power supply system for handpieces comprising:
a variable power controller;
a power transmitter coupled to the variable power controller;
and
a sterilizable motor assembly coupled to said power transmitter and
receiving said handpiece.
16. A portable power supply system for handpieces or hand-held
laboratory tools comprising:
a variable voltage foot controller having a first connector for
attachment to a battery unit or an AC/DC electrical adaptor;
a cable detachably connected on a first end to a second connector
on the variable voltage foot controller; and
a sealed and sterilizable motor assembly having a distal end for
receiving a handpiece or a hand-held laboratory tool and a proximal
end for detachable connection to a second end of the cable.
17. A portable power supply system for hand-held tools
comprising:
a foot controller having a connector for detachably receiving an
electrical power source;
a cable including a first end and a second end, said first end
having a first connector for attachment to the foot controller,
said second end having a second connector; and
a motor assembly having a distal end having a chuck and collet for
receiving a laboratory tool and a proximal end for attachment to
said second connector on said second end of the cable.
18. The power supply system of claim 17, wherein said electrical
power source is an AC/DC adaptor for plugging into an electrical
outlet.
19. The power supply system of claim 17, wherein said electrical
power source is a rechargeable battery unit.
20. The power supply system of claim 17, wherein the motor assembly
is sealed and sterilizable.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention pertains to the field of power supply systems
for dental, surgical, and industrial handpieces and the like, and,
in particular, to a portable, sterilizable, electric power supply
which includes an independent power source.
Handpieces or hand tools are used by a variety of professionals,
such as dentists, surgeons, technicians, etc. They operate by means
of a "power supply" which may utilize electrical or pneumatic
energy to drive or power the tool. When handpieces are required to
be used in locations outside of normal offices, they may utilize a
portable power supply. These outside locations include patient
homes, nursing facilities, remote clinics, and other field
locations, such as disaster sites or battlefields. Thus, portable
power supplies for handpieces are desirable for use in situations
where the doctor or technician does not have access to normal
office equipment.
While some portable electric power supplies exist, most are
pneumatic; although, both electric and pneumatic power supplies are
rather large, noisy, and expensive. One example of a portable
pneumatic power supply is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,286,949
issued to Holt, Jr.. Electric power supplies are not typically
sterilizable because their components are not sealed, and they are
subject to lack of power and power failures because they rely on
electrical lines at the site. Although the pneumatic power supplies
are sterilizable, they also rely on electrical lines at the site,
which may not be available, to power the pneumatic compressor. In
addition, pneumatic power supplies require costly maintenance
because of the lubricated components which comprise the
compressor-motor assembly. Sterilization is highly desirable
because of the often infectious environments in which the
handpieces may be used. A noise suppression box may be used with
these types of portable power supplies, however this only adds to
the cumbersome nature and decreases portability.
Thus, a need exists for an improved portable power supply for
handpieces that overcomes the problems associated with prior art
devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The portable power supply system of the present invention overcomes
those problems by including (i) a sealed, sterilizable electric
motor assembly which is attachable to a variety of standardized
handpieces or handheld tools, and (ii) detachable connection of the
motor assembly to a variable voltage foot controller which is
adaptable to either an AC/DC adaptor or a rechargeable battery.
Thus, the power supply system of the present invention has a motor
assembly that is readily autoclavable, is not dependent upon the
availability of power at a remote site, is compact and economical,
and may be used with any International Standard (ISO) 3954-1982E
type handpiece or common laboratory tools.
The variable voltage controller is comprised of a standard foot
controller, such as used for sewing machines, with connections for
either the AC/DC adaptor or the battery. A conventional coaxial
cable is used to communicate the DC voltage output from the foot
controller to the electric motor, which is housed in a small,
lightweight body with an International Standard male connection at
one end. The body is completely sealed, thereby virtually
eliminating maintenance requirements and allowing the motor
assembly to be autoclaved or sterilized between uses.
The resulting power supply system of the present invention is more
compact and quieter than existing systems, and the low voltage
requirements of the motor assembly result in added economy. The
elimination of the need to clean and replace lubricated parts,
which is required in pneumatic systems, further results in
ecological benefits, as well as cost savings to the user. The
simple, compact structure of the motor assembly results in reduced
manufacturing costs, and the use of conventional connections and a
commercially available foot controller further adds to a less
expensive system.
Further advantages and applications will become apparent to those
skilled in the art from the following detailed description and the
drawings referenced herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pneumatic power supply system of
the prior art.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the
portable power supply system of the present invention, wherein an
electrical adaptor is used.
FIG. 2a is a perspective view illustrating an alternate embodiment
of the portable power supply system, wherein a rechargeable battery
unit is utilized.
FIG. 3 is a partially cross-section view of the motor assembly of
the portable power supply system of the present invention as shown
in FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a partially cross-section view of an alternate embodiment
of the motor assembly of the portable power supply system of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the portable power supply systems of the
prior art are relatively large and cumbersome, and are typically
noisy. The pneumatic power supply system 10 shown in FIG. 1 further
requires greater maintenance effort and expense due to its movable,
working parts.
In contrast, the portable power supply system of the present
invention, illustrated in FIG. 2 and indicated generally by the
reference numeral 20, is compact, lightweight, quiet, and
substantially maintenance-free. The basic components of the system
include an access to an electrical power source and a variable
voltage controller. The variable voltage controller controls the
current from the higher voltage power source to a low voltage,
direct current (DC) motor assembly attached to the proximal end of
a handpiece.
In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the electrical power
source is a typical alternating current (AC) outlet (not shown),
and the access is provided by an AC/DC adaptor 22, of any
conventional type well known to those skilled in the art. Since
standard outlet voltage varies in different parts of the world,
AC/DC adaptors appropriate to the local electrical supply may be
used. Although, as shown in FIG. 2a, the reliance on working
electricity in any part of the world can be eliminated by the use
of a rechargeable battery unit 84 as the power source for the
system 20 of the present invention.
Further, as shown in the prior art system 10 of FIG. 1, there are
several types of handpieces available for use with a portable power
supply. Accordingly, the handpiece 24 illustrated in FIG. 2 for the
portable system 20 of the present invention serves merely as an
illustration of the handpieces which may be accommodated.
Referring now in detail to the system 20 of the present invention
illustrated in FIG. 2, it can be seen that the handpiece 24 is
accommodated at its proximal end to the distal end of the motor
assembly 26. The compact motor assembly 26, in turn, is connected
at its proximal end to the foot controller 28 via a conventional
coaxial cable 30. The foot controller 28 is of a standard type
capable of varying the voltage from its power source and delivering
a reduced voltage to the motor assembly 26. Pressure by a foot on
the lever 32 activates the delivery of current through the
controller 28, and increased pressure by the foot results in
increased current or voltage. Thus, the doctor or operator has only
to use one hand to maneuver the handpiece 24, while his foot
operates the motor assembly 26 and the other hand is free to
perform other tasks. It should be noted in FIG. 2 that a connecting
cable 34 between the AC/DC adaptor 22 and foot controller 28 is of
adequate length to allow the foot controller 28 to be located on
the ground proximate the patient, away from the outlet, and the
coaxial cable 30 is of a length adequate to allow the handpiece 24
to be held by the doctor when standing adjacent the patient.
As shown in FIG. 2, the lever 32 is hinged at its end closest to
the connections. The lever 32 is of a rectangular shape covering
substantially the entirety of the top of the body 82 of the
controller 28. The construction and operation of the foot
controller 28 are well-known to those skilled in the art.
The foot controller 28 has two connections in the supply system 20
of the present invention. One connector 74 is male and is inserted
into the female connector 76 on the proximal end of the coaxial
cable 30 which is attached to the motor assembly 26. The other
connector 78 is female and receives the male connector 80 from the
cable 34 attached to the AC/DC adaptor 22.
Alternately, as illustrated in FIG. 2a, the battery unit 84 has a
connector 80' for mating with the foot controller 28 in lieu of the
AC/DC adaptor 22. The use of the battery 84 allows the power supply
system to be used in remote locations either not having access to
electricity or having undependable electrical supply. The battery
unit 84 is preferably of a rechargeable type for economy, although
any battery type of adequate voltage having the appropriate
connector 80' and cable 34' may be used.
Referring now to FIG. 3, the motor assembly 26 is illustrated
(viewed right to left) with its retainer 36, housing 38, and end
cap 40 shown in cross-section. The distal end of the assembly 26
comprises a male connector portion 42 of a type known as an
International Standard male E-coupling. This connector 42 provides
versatility in accommodating any of a variety of handpieces having
the corresponding female connector portion (not shown) on its
proximal end. The proximal end of the motor assembly 26 comprises a
female connector 44 to receive a male connector (not shown) of the
coaxial cable 30. When the handpiece 24 and the coaxial cable 30
are removed, the motor assembly 26 may be sterilized without harm
to the DC electric motor 46 contained within the housing 38, since
the housing 38 is well-sealed, as described below in connection
with FIG. 3.
When the handpiece 24 is inserted over the standard ISO male
connector 42 of the motor assembly 26, a cylindrical portion (not
shown) located within the proximal end of the handpiece 24 is
received into a passage 48 of the connector 42. A spring 50 located
proximal the retainer 36 provides the tight fit necessary to affix
the handpiece 24 onto the motor assembly 26. A driving pin 52 of
the electric motor 46 extrudes into the passage 48 and provides the
necessary rotary energy to drive the handpiece 24.
As shown in FIG. 3, the pin 52 is centrally located on a distal
face 54 of the electric motor 46. The housing 38 encasing the pin
52 and motor 46 has a main body 56 with an inner diameter
substantially the same as the diameter of the electric motor 46,
thus ensuring a tight, sealing fit. A high temperature, preferably
silicone, sealant is used on the distal face 54 of the motor 46 to
provide additional sealing in the housing 38. A spring washer 58 is
similarly sized to fit within the housing 38 and engages the
proximal end of the motor 46. The spring washer 58 biases the motor
46 distally so that its distal face 54 is further provided with a
secure seal. Connectors 60 extrude from the proximal end of the
motor 46 through apertures (not shown) in the washer 58, and are
received into a cavity 62 formed at the distal end of the end cap
40.
The distal end of the end cap 40 also has an outer diameter
substantially the same as the inner diameter of the housing's main
body 56, in which it is engaged. The exterior of the distal half of
the end cap 40 is fluted, wherein the distal end has a reduced
outer diameter adequate to receive the widest, distal portion of
the connector 44. The connector 44 is hermetically sealed in the
end cap 40. An O-ring 64 is located proximate the proximal end of
the housing 38 to further provide sealing of the motor assembly 26.
Thus, the sealant applied to the distal face 54, the spring washer
58, and the O-ring 64 components, along with other components and
tolerances, hermetically seal the motor 46 within the housing
38.
Engagement of the end cap 40 onto the proximal end of the housing
38 is accomplished via springs 66 surrounding a passage 68
communicating the Cable connector 44 to the cavity 62. The springs
66 provide outward pressure on pins 70 which extend through holes
72 located on the periphery of the proximal end of the housing 38.
Thus, the end cap 40 is removable by manually depressing the pins
70, if necessary for service or maintenance.
Wires (not shown) for the electrical connection between the
connectors 60 and the connector 44 extend from the cavity 62
through the passage 68. Thus, the connector 44 comprises a
"jack-type" electrical connector which receives the probe of the
male connector on the distal end of the cable 30. The connector 44
has a distal portion of a reduced diameter comprising one electrode
and a more proximal portion of a larger diameter comprising the
other electrode of the opposite charge. These charges are provided
by wires soldered to the connectors 60. Thus, the electrical
connection between the cable 30 and connectors 60 is
accomplished.
A motor assembly of the system 20 of the present invention is not
only operable as an extension to a handpiece, but may also be used
as a handle and power supply for small tools such as used in
laboratories. That is, a chuck and collet configuration may be used
in place of the male E-coupling to attach various tools or bits
rather than ISO E-type handpieces, as illustrated in FIG. 4.
Laboratory technicians and the like can thus use an alternate
embodiment of the motor assembly to attach a tool 86 directly onto
the distal end of the motor assembly 88, with the housing 90 of the
assembly 88 comprising the handle necessary to grip and maneuver
the tool 86.
As illustrated in FIG. 4, the DC motor 46 is contained within
substantially the same casing as the previous motor assembly 26 of
FIG. 3. Here, like numbers refer to like parts. The housing 90
includes a main body 92 having a slightly larger outer diameter
than the housing 38. This larger diameter allows the pins 70 to be
contained in recesses 93 formed on the inner circumference of the
body 92. Thus, the pins 70 do not extrude to the exterior of the
housing 90.
In the motor assembly of FIG. 4, the distal end is adapted to
include a shaft 94 and nut 96 for attachment of the tool 86. The
nut 96 is located on the distal end of the shaft 94, and the tool
86 is simply inserted and the nut releasably tightened. Thus, the
exchange of tools is simple and quickly accomplished.
The shaft 94 has an outer diameter substantially the same as the
passage 48 and extends to proximate the base of the driving pin 52.
A nut 98 replaces the retainer 36 of the other motor assembly 26
and affixes the shaft 94 to the distal end of the housing 90. A
smoothly contoured spacer 100 surrounds what was the male connector
42 of the other assembly 26, and together with a tapered outer
surface of the end cap 102, provides a more uniform and better
feeling exterior for handling by the technician.
Accordingly, the portable power supply 20 of the present invention
provides a compact and multi-functional power source for doctors
and others requiring same. The ISO compatible male connector 42 of
the motor assembly 26 in one embodiment can accommodate a variety
of handpieces, as likewise the shaft 94 and nut 96 of the motor
assembly 88 in another embodiment can accommodate a variety of
hand-held tools. An AC/DC adaptor 22 appropriate for the local
electricity may be used, or a battery unit 84 may be substituted in
remote or more hostile locations. Finally, the sealed casings of
motor assemblies 26 and 88 significantly reduces the incumbent
maintenance of the power supply 20, and further allows the motor
assembly 26 or 88 to be sterilized as required along with the
handpieces or tools.
Thus, the electric power supply system 20 of the present invention
affords versatility, portability, and reliability heretofore
unavailable. Other changes and modifications may be made from the
embodiments presented herein by those skilled in the art without
departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by
the appended claims.
* * * * *